Expressing discontent over the inordinate delay on the part of Telangana Government on issuing accreditation and health cards to them, a delegation of Telangana journalists today staged a protest at Information Commissioner’s Office at Masab Tank.
During the protest, they shouted slogans against the government for failing to take steps to issue these cards to them. Despite the promise of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and IT Minister KT Rama Rao, the government is yet to take a final call on the issue, they deplored. The scribes warned that they would launch a movement if the government sat on the matter.
Later, the delegation called on Information Technology Minister K T Ramarao at Secretariat and informed him that they would be compelled to go in for a fresh movement for their issues like the accreditation cards, health cards and the issue of house sites. “If the government failed to take a call, we will not hesitate to take up agitation”, the scribes warned.
The meeting assumes significance as the accreditation cards are yet to be issued to the scribes even after one year of Telangana State formation. To this, KTR responded positively and promised to issue the accreditation cards to all the journalists by month end and health cards very soon. Admitting the delay, KTR hastened to conduct a meeting with the officials of Information, Finance and Health departments on the steps to be taken. Later, the minister said the government would avoid further delay. KTR also stated that arrangements will be made soon to offer accident insurance through Chief Minister Relief Fund to the kin of journalists, who died recently. (NSS)